Are large thyroid nodules classified as benign on fine needle aspiration more likely to harbor cancer?

作者：Shi Helen; Bobanga Iulianna; McHenry Christopher R^*

来源：American Journal of Surgery, 2017, 213(3): 464-466.

DOI：10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.10.028

• Thyroid cancer
• Nodular thyroid disease
• Fine-need aspiration biopsy
• Thyroidectomy
• False-negative rate

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate whether benign thyroid nodules >= 4 cm have a higher malignancy rate.
Methods: A retrospective review of patients with a nodule and a benign FNAB who underwent thyroidectomy was completed. Patients were divided into two groups; nodule size: < 4 cm or >= 4 cm, and clinical factors, nodule size and rates of malignancy were compared.
Results: 337 patients underwent thyroidectomy: 99 had nodules < 4 cm (2.8 +/- 0.58 cm) and 238 had nodules >= 4 cm (5.9 +/- 1.97 cm). Seven (2.1%) patients had cancer, 2 (2.0%) with a nodule < 4 cm and 5 (2.1%) with a nodule >= 4 cm (p = 0.962). There was no difference in clinical factors between groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: There is no difference in rates of malignancy for nodules < 4 cm or >= 4 cm. Thus, thyroidectomy should not be recommended based solely on nodule size.

• 出版日期2017-3